Abu Dhabi – EL3: Hamilton advantage before qualifying

Si Max Verstappen had dominated the first session of the weekend this Friday, Lewis Hamilton reversed the trend during the second before definitely marking time during the third and final session.

While his Dutch rival was discreet during the first half hour of driving, the seven-time world champion took the time to string together the laps with a set of soft tires. A time ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton gradually increased the pace until settling in first place thanks to a lap completed in 1'23"274, thus giving himself a 1"5 margin over Max Verstappen, on another work plan in these EL3.

After a first stint of around ten laps on the medium rubber, Max Verstappen returned to his garage where his team once again focused on its DRS. After a few minutes of work and a rear wing change, the Dutchman returned to the track with his first set of soft tires of the day.

Back for a new stint, the pilot Red Bull regained momentum and set the 2nd time with a 1'23"488. However, he remained behind Lewis Hamilton who had a little more than two tenths in advance after this first real rapid attempt. Despite new attempts, the Batavian was unable to get closer to the Briton who was nevertheless unable to improve at the end of the session due to a few missed laps.

Behind the two leaders, the gaps have widened. Third under the checkerboard, Valtteri Bottas was unable to do anything against Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on whom he conceded 7 and 5 tenths respectively just like Sergio Pérez, 4th in this EL3. Back on Friday, Lando Norris had a better session this Saturday with the 5th time 8 tenths from the lead.

In spirit at the end of the season, Yuki tsunoda once again put up great things with the 6th fastest time ahead of his teammate Pierre Gasly. Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo et Charles Leclerc completed the Top 10 of this first session of the day in Abu Dhabi.

Authors of a good Friday, Esteban Ocon et Fernando Alonso were this time expelled from the Top 10. With 18 and 19 laps respectively, the Frenchman and the Spaniard could not do better than 12th and 15th in this last rehearsal before qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.